Opera singer’s estate sale offers 400+ fresh lots

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The estate collection of renowned opera singer Frances Yeend, and her husband — pianist, conductor and vocal coach James F. Brenner — will be auctioned off Aug. 29-30 during a sale offered by Joe R. Pyle Auctions, of Fairmont, West Virginia. In addition to live bidding, absentee and phone bids will be accepted, and Internet live bidding will available through LiveAuctioneers.

The estate features countless items the couple picked up during their many travels

A wide variety of furniture, like the example above, are among the headliners of the Aug. 29-30 auction to be presented by Joe R. Pyle Auctions. Photo courtesy Joe R. Pyle Auctions

around the world, and includes a variety of furniture, fine and decorative art; porcelain and colored glass; rare books (including signed first editions), jewelry, stained glass windows and doors; and Asian art.

Frances Yeend, who was billed as a featured soprano at The Metropolitan Opera and other prestigious opera houses worldwide, had a passion for art and antiques. After retiring from touring, the couple relocated to West Virginia, where they continued to amass their collection.
Nothing in the collection has ever been offered for sale before. It is a lifetime collection that was still being expanded upon at the time of Ms. Yeend’s death in 2008 at age 95.

“The term ‘once in a lifetime’ can be overused, but when it comes to art and antiques, the Yeend/Benner collection is in a class of its own, with pieces dating back as early as the 16th century,” said auctioneer and company owner Joe R. Pyle. “This is a landmark collection, the likes of which we may never see again in this part of the United States, or anywhere, for that matter.”

The auction will be held Friday, Aug. 29, and Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, at the West Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in Fairmont, West Virginia.

For additional information, call 888-875-1599 or 304-592-6000, or visit www.joerpyleauctions.com.